Definition

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne infection that leads to swelling of the brain. It can affect the central nervous system and cause severe complications, even death.

Causes

Japanese encephalitis can occur if you are bitten by a mosquito infected with the virus.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of Japanese encephalitis include:

Living or traveling in certain rural parts of Asia—Outbreaks have occurred in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. These countries have controlled the disease through
vaccinations
. Other countries that still have periodic epidemics include Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, Nepal, and Malaysia.

Employment as a lab worker, which may result in exposure to the virus.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis usually appear 5-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.

Japanese encephalitis VIS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/je-ixiaro.html. Updated January 24, 2014. Accessed November 13, 2014.

Vaccine is key to preventing outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis. UNICEF website. Available at:
http://www.unicef.org/immunization/india_28555.html.
Accessed
November 13, 2014.

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